VirginHeels

3 hours ago, Puffer said:

Are you saying that a stiletto is allegedly a heel of cross-sectional area less than 56 (or maybe 51) sq mm - e.g. one that is 8mm x 7mm max (if rectangular)?   If so, that must require very close measurement, depending upon the cross-sectional shape.   A heel whose tip would enter a hole of (say) 8mm diameter would perhaps be an easier concept, if its overall profile otherwise conforms.

Yes, my maths may be wrong as I’ve gone back and checked my working, a 56mm2 cross section is what constitutes a stiletto. If it was a true circle, a 8.45mm would be the maximum, but we know there’s a shape to a stiletto. So in theory it will be smaller to fit the cross section.

A few more articles:

https://www.businessinsider.com/high-heels-history-covid-pandemic-dress-code-2021-12?amp
 

https://www.wise-geek.com/what-are-high-heels-for-men.htm

https://www.legit.ng/people/1454764-male-pastor-wears-high-heels-church-services-goes-viral-photos-spark-debate-social-media/

5 hours ago, pebblesf said:

There are many great looking boots with thicker/wider stiletto type heels, and plenty with block type heels also.   Have fun buddy.  I spent the day roaming around  Redondo beach in my nine west stiletto ankle boots.  I don't really think anyone noticed, surely didn't hear any giggling, and no one offered any compliments.  I'm sure a few people noticed though, but they were too busy or didn't really care enough to say anything.  

That’s the thing. Only two folk noticed. Everyone else is far too busy going about their lives. I have been thinking about doing something in heels for charity. Then I can wear them all over the place after as they will be comfortable. Nine West make really comfortable shoes!!!

Can’t remember where I read it, but some shoe manufacturers take a stiletto as something with less than 56mm2 and one other said it was too much, should be 5mm2 or less. The 56mm2 I guess is more a traditional stiletto, a block heel now. The 5mm2 would be a modern one, one with modern materials.

If we were to take @mlroseplant figures, it would be something in the region of a 4.55mm2 to 4.64mm2 heel so would conform to the modern stiletto heel standards. Good olde pie R squared formula!!!

9 hours ago, pebblesf said:

I'm with you buddy, love wearing my stiletto boots the most.  And, I find they are actually easier to walk in than some of my block heeled boots.  That being said, stiletto heels take a terrible beating on most city streets, and can be dangerous on the city streets you have described.  So, be prepared to have the heel tips replaced regularly and be very careful.  Falling/tripping is a real confidence killer, and you sure don't want to get hurt.  

I have read that from many HH threads, a nice stiletto is easier to walk in. I can imagine they take a beating, in the nicer areas here it’s all nice slate tiled pathways. Some places are tarmac, others are still that nice classy 80s concrete knurled pattern crap. If I fell the confidence would shatter, if I tripped and stumbled it would take a knock.

Im taking some time to get comfortable and confident in block boots. I would then go to stiletto boots and then the final boss… Stiletto Pump or two.

Congratulations, it’s a freaking great feeling to be out in heels the first time. I’m a recent first time heeler and am planning my second one soon enough.

As said, watch in LGBTQ+ places, they can be more conservative than a straight up plain bar. Some homosexual males wear heels, but some use that as a way to prove their feminine side, yes. However the thing is some are further down their echo chamber to prove they are act a man.

Straight guys can wear heels, that is fine. You can have a more feminine side as a straight guy. You can have a more androgynous side as well. It is what makes you, you.

The more males who wear heels, and the more this becomes closer to normal the better. It will be a small sub set in the population who do this, thing is, we need to push the boundaries for others who follow. Times will change, it may be a slow grind for this to happen.

Hope you have a fun time in heels!!!

I’m looking at a few pairs of boots from OnlyMaker at the moment. What would be the best sizing info for a size 9UK/42-43EU foot?

Do OnlyMakers come with a weird smell? I’d like to know what they are like to wear, in terms of comfort.

Thanks.

People will notice. It’s our job not to care and go about our business accordingly. It’s not for us to care about what they do.

I have a loose sort of rule that normal people are weird somewhere, some more than others. Those who are not weird somewhere are not normal. It should be normal to be weird and vast not narrow and closed off.

Embrace your weird, it is what makes you.

4 hours ago, mlroseplant said:

Congratulations to you! I also could not have predicted that I would be wearing stiletto heels on a regular basis when I began this journey.

I'm sure I have given this advice a number of times before, but I think it's buried somewhere in the archives by now. Everyone is different, but I do not put a lot of stock in footpads for comfort. I do use them in certain shoes for fitment purposes, but I have found that they do not extend your journeys by much. Again, your mileage may vary.

What does extend your journeys is practice. And by practice, I mean walking on the street regularly. And by walking, I mean walking for exercise. Get yourself some 3 inch heels with a bit of a broader heel, and walk a mile or two in them a few times a week, as you are able. As the weeks and months progress, you'll be able to walk a mile or two in 4 inch heels. I'm trying to remember just exactly how long it took me to have any true endurance in actual high heels, but it's been nearly 10 years ago and many, many shoes ago. I can tell you that I put on many, many miles on 3 inch heels, or even slightly lower.

Not long after I started heeling publicly, I went into a local department store with the intent of buying some high heeled boots. I found some with a 5 inch heel, 1 inch platform, so effectively a 4 inch difference. Not more than a month after I got them, I needed to go to a large shopping mall to get a new mobile phone. I decided it was an ideal place to wear these new boots. What I did not count on was having to stand and wait at mobile phone place for the better part of an hour. Anyone will tell you, standing is way worse than walking in heels. By the time I got back to the car, I thought I was going to die. I was ready to give up heels at that point, figuring that any stories of people wearing these all the time were fantasy.

As you know, I did not give up heels, and today I could wear those boots all day long, including a lot of standing, without any thought. So when you say you only lasted an hour, that's not bad. It will take a lot of hard work before they become all day shoes, but it is doable.

Thanks.

Stilettos are the goal now. A long term goal. I thought I’d never say that. But looking at some boots, I’m still going to wear more boots than anything else. Possible for a pair of pumps and probably a pair of oxfords.

Ill try foot pads, I’m skeptical, I think if I get more time on my Naturalizer Calie 4 inch/1/2 inch platforms it will get better. I think I might be like you, no replacement for getting “match fit” to take a sports term.

Problem is, it will only be once a month I get out, more when the live music scene comes roaring back. A great way to wear heels, barring when it’s a standing gig I guess as I’m usually found down the front for a metal gig, unless it’s a more intimidating artist where I’ll happily take a seat. I usually stand from doors opening at maybe 6pm to the very last song at 11pm, even in trainers this can get interesting. Country gigs have seats, so can wear what ever, might get those 4 inch heel cowboy boots from OnlyMaker.

I’m prepared for the long haul, I know to get good, time is the only way. Heels are what I want to wear, especially as I’m on a journey to get the body I would feel confident and comfortable in. Hence why I’m looking at Pole Fitness/Dancing lessons, combining fitness with wearing heels.

That’s the area I’m talking about. The old town. New town is less of a hassle, the old one, castle and university area, more difficult going on what I know.

I can definitely tell you now a life in heels is a good bodily workout. My core is feeling better, my back pain is not there and I gotta say goodbye to sciatica as well. The tops of my feet are also a little tetchy after being stretched a little.

I was thinking about doing pole dancing/fitness lessons for more focus on my arms and core. Plus it means I can buy 6/7 inch Pleaser heels, eventually. Plus a few other really tall pairs I like from other manufacturers.

I now see how a life in heels can be bad for the bank account.

2 hours ago, SF said:

VirginHeels,  Good for you.  Getting out in public is the only way to get used to being out in public.  I too was nervous at first but with time that all goes away.  Besides most folks don't notice, and the ones who do don't really care.  You will get an occasional stare or look, big deal.  And sometimes you even get a compliment.  

One observation though, you mentioned "wobbles."  In Europe you folks there have many, many places with cobblestone street and road surfaces.  Here in the United States cobblestones are almost unheard of.  The times I have travelled in Europe, I was amazed at seeing the gals - and probably guys - in heels negotiating the uneven cobblestone surface.  Amazing.  I have worn low heel wedgies on European streets and it was a challenge!  

Glad you got out, keep it up you won't regret it one bit.  Smile...   sf

There were nerves, but I almost took an alter ego attitude into the experience. Especially with the slight click of the heels. European streets are a different hazard. Stockholm is smooth as a baby’s bum, barring main shopping street. Bergamo is a cobbled and tiled masterpiece. And going on what women were doing there, it’s stilettos chunky heels, wedged shoes are a no-no for them. Edinburgh is another city that’s a heel hazard, but there’s lots on show.

1 hour ago, Cali said:

Congratulation @VirginHeels on you first (of many) trips. We have those traffic/disabled bobbles and I have to be careful on they as well. These are even harder negotiating with stilettos. As for you balls of your feet hurting, you might want to look into foot pads. I have them in almost every heel I wear. 

I’ve got them. I’ll put one of those gel Ballorette ones in. I can’t wait till the day I go for a stiletto. At the very start of this I thought I’d never go for a stiletto. This place has changed me. Stiletto boots and maybe a pair of pumps will be on the horizon at some point. The just look too good.

32 minutes ago, pebblesf said:

Great job VH!  Like you say, no one really notices, they are way too busy getting to where they are going.  Yeah, the pain in the balls of your feet can be discouraging, but it does go away over time.  Just plan shorter trips for now, so the pain doesn't get the best of you.  

Sounds like a great outfit, hope to see pictures...D

There’s a definite learning curve, this is the start of the bell curve I feel. I don’t care if folk notice, if they do and give a compliment I’ll happily receive it, maybe spark a conversation. No pictures, I bloody loved the fact every stride I took added some sway and life in my fur ruff hood. And the look was great in shop windows.

Great look there!!!

Hows the girlfriend these days? Has she learnt tolerance of you in heels yet? 

I’m getting my courage together, I’m planning on two outings this coming week, one to the centre of town and one to IKEA. Probably in my Naturalizer boots as they will be easier to walk in them.

8 hours ago, Puffer said:

In English (or Scottish)?

The type of idiots in this video.

Those who rent a nice car for a day to shoot a cringe music video.

I can imagine those on sone pretender on Rodeo Drive in some narcissistic wannabe rappers music video. The level of drip that would be required for that look to happen would be high.

I’ve been on two. The Scottish system allows for no excusals. Pick 15 from a pool of 120 for the Sheriff court or 15 from 60 for the high court. You can ask for excusal once you hear the charge sheet. Say if you are a childcare nurse in a child abuse case or a banker in a fraud trial.

Wear your heels, it’s the perfect environment, full of strangers. Walk tall walk proudly.

2 minutes ago, Cali said:

One day you will have many more than a just a few heels.

I never had more that 8 men's shoes at one time my whole life. I now have around 60 heels and another 4 trainers. Men's shoes never fit me correctly so I hated to shopping for them.

That is my hope. I will still use flat safety shoes for work, otherwise I shall need to move department or look for another job. Both ideas are equally bad right now.

I have 3 pair of 2.5 inch that are not high enough now. I have a 3.5 inch/.5 inch platform pair and a 4 inch pair. I just need to find a pair of two in the 3-3.5 inch range to use daily. And since the start of this journey this past year, I have came to the conclusion that even if I know the majority of what I will wear will be block/chunky heel boots, I will seek to wear pumps and even pumps and boots with a stiletto in the future. Nothing with a open toe.

17 minutes ago, Jkrenzer said:

6 to 8, but must answer your own question. 

I shall. Less than a hour a week. Simply down to two factors, I have to work in non slip flat shoes and fitness in trainers. Plus need to find a 3 inch heel that I can wear as a daily shoe as my 4 inch ones are more dressy.

Quick question to you all, typically, how long in terms of time do you spend in heels each day. Time seated and on your feet would be great too, even a percentage would be good.

I’m not talking about being locked into heels, just ordinary normal time.

Just thought this would be a good topic as I can’t see if it’s been covered before.

6 hours ago, mlroseplant said:

Not that you can sue a neighbor for cutting down a tree here, but most of us would rather have the shade than the light. Different climate, I suppose.

Remember, I’m in Scotland, a country that don’t get much sun. We just got new neighbours recently who chopped down loads of trees, next summer we will get sun from about 9am to 9pm in our garden.

That's that different climate I suppose. 15C here is considered Summer here.

2 hours ago, Puffer said:

Please quote your sources.   There are many thousands of existing residential properties in England (at least) with trees of significant height close to them.   A nearby/tall tree can affect planning consent for a new property or result in additional insurance conditions as to regular inspection. 

Without linking any legal qualification to you, Melrose, it is fair to say that few people who have a law degree will be experts in insurance law and practice (as Bubba implied), unless that is their specialism.   Conversely, those who are qualified in insurance will have studied several areas of law in depth in addition to insurance law, but will not have similarly deep knowledge of other areas with little or no relevance to insurance.

Obviously, the cover afforded by various types of insurance will vary and is often influenced by the law of the jurisdiction, as will be the relevant law of tort governing potential liability.   Household (home) insurance typically covers (a) damage to or loss of one's own property caused by specified perils (fire, storm, theft etc); and (b) liability to third parties arising from negligence etc in one's ownership or occupation of the property.   If a tree falls down and this is not immediately caused by e.g. negligent trimming or other work but results from adverse weather, damage to the house (but not the tree itself) is normally covered, because the 'fabric' of the house is so insured.   But if it damages a car, that damage would not normally be covered by the household insurance but should be covered by the relevant motor insurance, if comprehensive, as that insures the 'fabric' of the car.   In the absence of negligence, a falling tree would not impose legal liability on its owner for any resultant damage or injury.   In other words, damage/injury resulting from an 'Act of God' tree falling is usually only covered if whatever is damaged/injured is itself insured by a property (rather than liability) insurance against such damage or injury.   

Melrose: was your guest's car comprehensively insured by him?   If so, he surely should have been able to claim for its destruction?   Neither you nor your property insurer would be liable in the circumstances you outlined.

Just done a check, it looks as if the laws have changed since I checked last. I checked in 2005 last, it seems as if the law was changed in 2012. I was going on outdated/wrong information.

I suppose that’s the difference between here in the UK, apart from crown owned or land owned via certain Dukedom’s, trees cannot be within a 4meter (13ft 1inch) range of any plan of the house. Plus trees must be limited to a 6 foot (England) or 2 meter (Scotland & Wales) in height and diameter, in line with fence height. Your neighbours can sue for enforcement, but is largely a last case scenario, but is often done for right to light.

It still happens though through under investment, leaving public land having tree surgery cut to fund other things, meaning in you are on a street, it’s an act of god.

Our insurance companies are a bit more regulated as well, so can’t weasel out as much.

That tree falling like that is an act of god. Maybe cut it down or get some branches removed to get it to grow higher?

They look killer!!!

I will defend Rab C Nesbitt. He is a Glaswegian hero. His fashion choice wasn’t the normal but there was folk in the late 80s to late 90s that had that look down for about 15 years here. With a four cornered handkerchief hat in the summer.

When it comes to movement, I like to keep my core warm enough to push myself but cool enough to be able to do so properly when doing my 5K+ walks/runs.

This year I have so far learnt about lean layering, layer with enough gear, but not too much. The snow is on its way, maybe for Christmas Day, so things could easily change and the down jackets come out.